Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies Department

Degree Description: 

The Liberal Studies Associate of Arts Degree prepares students for Bachelor’s degree transfer and rewarding careers in a variety of fields through writing, research, expressive arts, literature, film, music, gender studies, cultural studies, and philosophy. The Liberal Studies program is the most traditional discipline in higher education. Its collaboration with a multitude of disciplines in the humanities and its interdisciplinary approach with psychology, history, science, and many other disciplines offers majors and non-majors core foundational knowledge, skills, and good habits relevant to each student’s studies, career goals, and personal lives.  

In the Liberal Studies classroom, critical thought and expression is developed and enhanced through writing, reading, enriched discussions, and verbal and written analysis. Integration of Piikani history, culture, language and thought is woven into each Liberal Studies course. Our department emphasizes innovative student-centered learning and focuses on the up-to-date rigor, vibrancy, and expectations of the Montana University System.

Division Student Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are as follows:

• Writing & verbal communication skills and confidence: Attain a level of writing fluency adequate for success in advanced college courses and professional settings. Communicate ideas logically and creatively. Understand the necessity for clear writing and communication skills in personal, community, professional, and academic settings. Develop your own voice in discussions, gain confidence in yourself as an insightful thinker, as well as grow in your ability to listen to other voices in the room. Confidently write in MLA format and create visual assignments, presentations, and community, place-based projects.
  
  
• Critical thinking inquiry & problem-solving as mental habits: Understand the critical and cultural significance of the arts and humanities from Piikani and multi-cultural practices, worldviews, values, ethics, languages, environmental ethics, and social/historical/ cultural contexts. Become skilled in inquiry (exploration, explanation, evaluation, reflection), problem-solving, and critical analysis.  
  
  
• Research and ethical habits: Become proficient at both Indigenous and Western research methods. Gain awareness of differing audiences (including the Piikani Nation) in order to tailor your delivery, method, tone, voice, ethical and epistemological framework to the given situation. Demonstrate an understanding of proper documentation procedures to prevent and avoid plagiarism. Demonstrate Nit ta pi tap ii sini (integrity) and Isspi’po’totsp (responsibility). Form the habit of consulting credible research sources for all personal, professional, academic, and community-related qualitative research.
  
  
• Life enrichment: Realize that a regular routine of reading literature, listening to oral stories, watching films, making art can be enjoyable and relevant to your life.  Develop your own voice as an artist, gain confidence in yourself as an expressive human, and be an advocate for contemporary Native voices in the arts. Become comfortable with the art of improvisation and finding your "musical space" within the larger jam!

Division Courses Identified for Online

Division Annual Events and Activities